Seal pup being examined and monitored at the World Vets clinic in Gig Harbor, WA

While we have been busy with many marine mammal stranding cases in Washington over the last few months, this little pup is our first harbor seal of the 2019 pupping season. Estimated to be 1-2 weeks old, the seal pup was found stranded on a public beach in Westport Washington. Network partners Washington State Parks and Westport Aquarium secured the area to make sure he was not disturbed, posted signs and provided monitoring for 48 hours while he was on the beach. His mom never returned and he was considered abandoned. Working in collaboration with our network partners Cascadia Research Collective and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, he was brought in late Thursday night to the World Vets clinic in Gig Harbor for triage and stabilization. On arrival he was hypothermic, dehydrated and thin. Working together with WDFW, we stabilized him and started fluid therapy and he was admitted for overnight hospitalization. He was later transferred to PAWS for rehabilitation with the ultimate goal that he will be released back into the wild once he is healthy and ready to forage on his own.

As pupping season starts in Washington, it is important to remember to SHARE THE SHORE!

-All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is against the law to feed or harass them, which includes disrupting important behaviors such as rest, feeding, nursing or breeding.

-Give them space and stay back 100 yards from all marine mammals on shore.

-Keep pets on leash. Pets can disturb wildlife or may separate mothers from their pups. These are wild animals that can injure or spread disease to pets and humans.

-If you see a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal call: 866-767-6114

Earlier this week, World Vets along with our longtime partner BAI, was recognized by the Mayor of district Antonio Ante in Ecuador for over a decade of service to the region. World Vets has been working in this region high in the Andes Mountain for going on eleven years, bringing veterinary services to thousands of animals that would otherwise have no access to care. Throughout this time, we have partnered with local group Bienstar Animal Imbabura and together have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the local animals, people and the communities in which they live. Throughout the world, World Vets has many partnerships like this one working in collaboration with government municipalities and local animal welfare organizations to provide veterinary support to animals in need in underserved areas.

Nineteen Gray whales have washed ashore in Washington over the last several weeks and more than 55 have stranded on the West Coast this year. World Vets has been involved in the disease investigation and necropsies working with lead scientists from Cascadia Research Collective, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as other members of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The strandings already seen this year are the most of any year since the year 2000 and its still early in the whale migration season. Most of the whales have shown signs of nutritional stress and poor body condition, although its still too early to fully understand the exact cause of the high death numbers. Additional testing and evaluation of collected samples are pending and should provide more insight into these deaths.

Last month World Vets had two veterinary teams in Nepal to provide free sterilization services for street dogs. We would like to thank our dedicated volunteers, donors as well as local partners. From your efforts, and with your support, hundreds of dogs now have a greater chance at a better life!

You can help us make a difference! World Vets returns to Kathmandu later this year, and we still have a need for volunteers. Find out more

We have an upcoming field service project that is the perfect volunteer opportunity for cat lovers and feline practitioners. We will be operating a free high volume sterilization campaign in Shkodër, Albania from August 1- 8, 2019, and 70% of animal patients are expected to be cats!

Volunteer opportunities are still available for veterinarians, technicians (both licensed and non-licensed), as well as students and for general assistants (individuals with no previous veterinary experience). Find out more!

Booking a direct flight to Albania might be expensive from North America. As such, we suggest prospective volunteers look into booking a round trip flight to a major hub in Europe (i.e. Amsterdam, Bucharest, Rome) and from that location book a separate flight to Albania. We also recommend that volunteers search for flight options on kayak.com, and then book directly through the airline offering the best deal/itinerary.